MBTA ridership soars to new records in October

In October, MBTA ridership increased by nearly 3 percent over October 2012, and totaled 36.228 million passenger trips, T officials said today, citing the Red Sox World Series title as a likely factor in the surge.

In October, MBTA ridership increased by nearly 3 percent over October 2012, totaling 36.228 million passenger trips, T officials said today, citing the Red Sox World Series title as a likely factor in the surge.

“The Sox weren’t the only Boston institution to have a terrific fall,” said MBTA General Manager Beverly Scott. “Our October numbers represent the highest monthly ridership recorded since the beginning of the MBTA.”

Average daily ridership for October increased by 4.3 percent over the same month last year, and totaled 1.382 million passenger trips per weekday.

As with the month overall, T officials said October had the highest weekday ridership recorded since the MBTA was created in 1964.

“This is the closest we’ve ever come to an average daily ridership of 1.4 million passenger trips,” said Scott. “Ridership on almost all modes increased, with particularly big jumps on the subway and buses.”

In October, the Red, Orange and Blue lines carried an average of 35,500 more riders a day than the previous October. Buses provided a daily average of 22,100 more passenger trips than October 2012.

“Whether it’s commuting to work or traveling to a Sox game, more and more people are relying on the MBTA,” said Scott. “This is why investing in public transportation is a critically important part of growing the economy.”